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Illustrations by Serge Seidlitz
STANDARDS
Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4, SL.6-8.1
NCSS: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions • Power, Authority, and Governance • Civic Ideals and Practices
CIVICS
The Road to the White House
The presidential election is less than a year away, and candidates are racing along the campaign trail. What can you expect during this busy election season? Here’s your step-by-step guide to the process.
1. Primaries and Caucuses
Starting January 15, voters in every state and U.S. territory as well as the District of Columbia pick their favorite candidate in a
2. Super Tuesday and Beyond
March 5 is Super Tuesday—the day when the greatest number of states hold primaries and caucuses. Super Tuesday is often a turning point: By the time the votes are counted, one or two candidates for each party likely have a clearer lead, causing many other candidates to drop out of the race.
3. The Conventions
The elephant is a symbol of the Republican Party. The donkey is a symbol of the Democratic Party.
4. The Debates
The official nominees for president share the stage at televised debates, giving voters a chance to see how they respond to challenging questions about key issues. The vice presidential candidates also have at least one debate. The party nominees continue to crisscross the nation, making speeches, giving interviews to reporters, and appearing in election ads to connect with voters.
5. Election Day
Some states allow early voting in person or by mail, but Tuesday, November 5—Election Day—is the last chance to cast a ballot. Candidates for the
6. Electoral College Vote
On Tuesday, December 17, the electors chosen in the November election gather in each state. Together, they make up the Electoral College. They cast the official votes for president and vice president. There are 538 electors. A candidate needs votes from at least 270 electors to win.
7. Congress Declares the Winner
On January 6 of every year following a presidential election, members of the U.S. Congress gather to count the electoral votes. The
8. Inauguration Day
A new four-year presidential term begins on January 20. At the
SCROLL DOWN to read more about stop No. 1: Primaries and Caucuses.
5-Minute Guide to Primaries and Caucuses
Who picks the official Democratic and Republican nominees for president? Voters in every state—through primaries and caucuses. The Democratic nominee is most likely to be President Joe Biden, who is running for reelection with little opposition. When this issue went to press, eight Republicans were competing to be their party’s nominee. Here’s a look at the contests that will determine the victor.
What’s the Difference?
Primary: Voters cast secret ballots by mail or at the
Caucus: Voters gather in a school, church, or other public place to discuss their party’s candidates, then vote.
Who Can Vote?
Voters in national elections must be 18 or older and U.S. citizens. In most states, people can vote in a party’s contest only if they have registered in advance as a member of that party. Some states let independent voters choose one party’s contest to vote in.
When Are the Contests Where I Live?
Jim McMahon/Mapman®
Notes: Dates are subject to change.
TBD = to be determined
SOURCES: 270 to Win, Federal Election Commission (as of 11/20/2023)
Why Aren’t All the Contests at Once?
It’s a big country! Staggered dates let candidates campaign in a few states at a time. There are pros and cons to this system:
As their state’s date approaches, voters may get a chance to see candidates in person.
Candidates who lose in early contests tend to drop out. That can give votes in states with early dates more weight than ones that are cast later.
Question: What kind of contest does your state have? When is it? In which other states, if any, will people be voting on the same date as voters in your state?